LDH

Lactate dehydrogenase. One of a group of enzymes found in the blood and other body tissues, and involved in energy production in cells. An increased amount in the blood may be a sign of tissue damage and some types of cancer or other diseases. Also called lactic acid dehydrogenase.

The enzyme LDH is found in many body tissues, especially the heart, liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, brain, blood cells and lungs. It often becomes elevated in advanced cases of testicular cancer. Clinically, it is useful as marker of advanced or bulky disease and, when elevated, as a marker for seminoma.

Lactic Dehydrogenase, commonly included in automated analysis, is insensitive as an indicator of hepatocellular injury but is better as a marker for hemolysis or MI. It might be quite high with malignancies involving the liver. Also see Lactic Dehydrogenase